The Khaki Cup on display at Sheffield United's Legends of the Lane museum

Campaigners behind the Sheffield Home of Football movement, who are fighting for Sheffield to make more of the city’s proud sporting heritage, believe it’s time for that to change.

John Wilson, from the University of Sheffield, said: “There’s lots of public art in Sheffield but very little about sport and nothing to do with football, which is bizarre given the city’s role in the origins of the game.

“We need statues in the city celebrating our footballing past and present, which could become part of a sculpture trail.

John Wilson in Sheffield United's Legends of the Lane museum

“Some of the funds coming into the city to promote culture and tourism should be spent on this, because it could bring big benefits.”

Mr Wilson, who worked on a walking app guiding users on a pilgrimage of Sheffield’s footballing landmarks, claimed such football-themed artwork could help raise the city’s profile both nationally and internationally as the home of the sport, boosting tourism.

And he said the powers that be were finally waking up to the value of promoting Sheffield's sporting history, which could also be harnessed to support education and health within the city.

He was speaking at the latest meeting of the Sheffield Home of Football team, which includes representatives from the Blades, the Owls, Hallam FC and the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC.

They are organising a major footballing exhibition, where a copy of the 1858 Sheffield Rules - described as the ‘holy grail’ which gave rise to the game as we know it - will go on public display for the first time.

They will be on view alongside the FA Cup trophy and many of Sheffield's numerous sporting gems, from the world's first knockout football trophy, the Youdan Cup, to the ball with which Brian Deane scored the first ever Premier League goal.